And at that time is literally “and it was at that time.” Jewish Publication Version says “And it came to pass at that time.” The writer uses this verbal transition to indicate that the events about to be described took place during the time that Jeroboam was working for Solomon. Since the Hebrew does not refer to a specific time, some English translations use the general expression “One day” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation).

When Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem: These words are to be understood literally, but the author may also have intended for them to be understood symbolically, as a reference to Jeroboam who will leave Jerusalem to become king of Israel.

For prophet see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.8.

Ahijah reappears in chapter 14, where his name in Hebrew is sometimes “Ahijahu.”

Shilonite means “from the city of Shiloh” (see the comments on 1 Kgs 2.27).

Found him on the road: The text is not implying that Jeroboam was lost. The meaning is rather “met him on the way/road” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible, New American Bible) or “saw him…”; that is, Ahijah found or met Jeroboam while Jeroboam was walking on the road. The context, however, has led some translators to use an expression like “accosted him on the road” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment is literally “he had clad himself with a new garment.” The Septuagint says “Ahijah was clad….” Anchor Bible, however, argues that it was Jeroboam who was wearing the new garment. According to most interpreters, however, the following verse makes clear that it was Ahijah and not Jeroboam who was wearing the new garment. In order to avoid confusion, Revised Standard Version substitutes the proper name for the pronoun (also New Jerusalem Bible). Another rendering based on the same interpretation says that “the prophet was wearing a new cloak” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible). Good News Translation omits this information here since it is repeated in the next verse.

The Hebrew word translated garment refers to an outer garment and should not be rendered in such a way as to give the impression that the prophet was completely naked when he removes the garment in the next verse. New Century Version has “coat” while New International Version and Revised English Bible say “cloak.” Both of these options refer to an outer garment.

The two of them were alone in the open country: This means that the two men were not within the city of Jerusalem.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .